Prayer requests

 

St Hilda's Parish received a lovely offer from "Mustard Seed Prayer Circle". They have invited our members (and anyone interested) to join. They have been working for a few years as group of Christians from all over Australia who are linked via email for the purpose of prayer.

 

"We take names and brief reasons for prayer, we only use Christian Names and sometimes surname Intitial. God knows each of us by name anyway. We send out the email prayer to all team members and we pray for one month. At the end of each month a Parish Priest receives the list of names and offers Mass on the first Sat for all those names." (mustard seed prayer circle)

Would you like to join the prayer group?

Would like to make a prayer request?

then email  - Laurel Movigliatti at   mustard_seed_group@hotmail.com

 

 

 

Prayer for the Synod

 Most of you would know that next weekends Sunday Service (31st May due to be held at Taree) will be cancelled due to Father Matthew attending the Synod. Leaving for the long drive Thursday we pray that he travels safely.

Prayer for the Synod: -   Almighty and everlasting God, who by thy Holy Spirit didst preside in the Council of the blessed Apostles, and hast promised, through the Son Jesus Christ, to be with thy Church to the end of the world; We beseech thee to be present with the 2015 Synod about to be assembled in thy Name, Save its members from all error, ignorance, pride and prejudice: and of thy great mercy vouchsafe so to direct, govern and sanctify them in their deliberations by thy Holy Spirit, that through thy blessing the Gospel of Christ may be faithfully preached and obeyed, the order and discipline of thy Church maintained, and the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour enlarged and extended. Grant this, we beseech thee, through the merits and mediation of the same Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen

Rogation Sunday 2015

These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. (John 16:25-27). †

 

Implication?

His preaching has been veiled to some degree, even to his closest followers, but the teaching will soon be clearer.

 

When?

vv.22-23 say after the crucifixion and resurrection, And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.  And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

but it also refers to after the Ascension, as the Holy Spirit will then inspire them to unfold his previous teaching with greater clarity and with the new context of the Cross. vv. 13-15. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

So, amazingly, some of the richest teaching in the NT is not in the Gospels, but in the Epistles. This may sound blasphemous, as if we are saying the words of the Apostles are worth more than the words of our Lord. But, in fact, they are all the words of our Lord, whether from his mouth or not.

 

On the other hand, his preaching of the Gospel, precisely because it is often in parables, has layer upon layer of meaning and application. And, while the disciples tell him he is not speaking in parables in this instance, there is much in what he says here that will not be seen in its full significance till later.

 

Indeed, when he states that he is not saying he will pray the Father for them as the Father himself loves them, we have a perfect example of this. We are taught elsewhere that he does intercede for us, including in the same address on the same night in the same Gospel, e.g., And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16), Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25). So what does Jesus mean? He has already said they will be praying in his name, so He means that their prayer is through him due to their loving faith, so that his prayer for them is in fact them praying in him, because they are united with him, and, through him, united to the Father. As the one called the Mediator, the link between God and Man, he intercedes by his presence with the Father, and his presence in us, as the Sacrificed one. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, (Heb. 10:24-26) And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. (Rev. 5:6).

Thus we are not to have some image in our minds of Christ perpetually repeating our prayers to the Father so he will deign to pay attention to them. No. The Father is not separated from us by Jesus, isolated in proud and stern splendour. He loves us and as we are in Christ, is with us. Even in tribulation. and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (vv.32b-33).

The more we become one with him in faith and love,

the more our prayer will simply be his prayer. †

Receive with meekness the implanted word

Sermon Summary 4th Sunday after Easter
Father Matthew Kirby

EVERY good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:17-21 (KJV)

 

Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. †

 

Why with meekness?
The whole letter is directed against arrogance: pride plus anger plus the comfortable worldliness of self-satisfied wealth. (e.g., And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: James 2:3. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. James 3:14, Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4, Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.  James 13-17).

What is the solution?
Humbled, penitent faith made active in good works and especially respect for the needy (But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James 4:6-10, Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:26).

It was not that they lacked piety or belief. They are painted in the second chapter as placing their great confidence in their belief, and saying the right thing, sounding spiritual If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (James 2:15-19). But their faith was dead or dying because it was not combined with penitence, but with the opposite. The necessary connection of penitence with faith is made by our Lord from the beginning, e.g., And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 1:15.

 

But one could also say that our faith must be combined with unbelief, as this epistle makes clear. Unbelief in the priority of wealth. Unbelief in worldly status. Unbelief in worldly power and the abusive use of it. Unbelief in self. It is not merely that we must trust in God. We must actively distrust everything that would make itself an idol in competition with him and his kingdom.

 

The good news is that, as harsh as this letter sounds, this very passage reminds the listeners that the word has already changed them: "Of his own will he brought us to birth by the word of truth." And he has just said before that that God gives "perfect" gifts. New life has been given definitively by his will, not our own, through the gospel-words spoken in baptism and in the Church's preaching. However, we must remain receiving, and do so in joyful and unqualified confidence in the Gift within, but humble and penitent distrust in our own powers and passions. It is this balance of boldness and meekness that is the paradox essential to Christian living by faith.

 

As I cry out to my Lord.

It is through pain, fear and loss
that we learn trust and faith.
It is the hard times that teach us
allowing us to grow spiritually.

O'Lord,

 When facing our fears and insecurities
 May the Holy Ghost comfort us:

As our hearts and bodies cry out in pain
 May we remember the sufferings of Christ:

During times of despair in our darkest hours
 May we call on The Father to light our path:

Though our mortal vulnerabilities
 May we learn to trust three persons in one God:

As we strive to be righteous
 May we remember to praise and offer glory
 In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.

Amen

Prayer for Mothers

Mothers Day is next Sunday 10th May 2015.

 

"Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you." Deuteronomy 5:16  "Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.  They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck." Proverbs 1:8-9

Each of us is a sinner, including our parents. Most parents try hard to love and nurture their children, wanting only what is best for them. Parenting is THE hardest jobs in the world. If you want to do something special this Mothers Day, then pray for all of the mothers that need Gods assistance... Happy Mothers Day. 

 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

 We thank You for our mothers to whom You have entrusted the care of every precious human life from its very beginning in the womb.

God our Creator, we pray: for expectant mothers, wondering and waiting.

 

 You have given to woman the capacity of participating with You in the creation of new life. Grant that every woman may come to understand the full meaning of that blessing, which gives her an unlimited capacity for selfless love for every child she may be privileged to bear, and for all Your children.

God our Creator, we pray: for new mothers, coming to terms with new responsibility.

 

 Watch over every mother who is with child, strengthen her faith in Your fatherly care and love for her and for her unborn baby. Give her courage in times of fear or pain, understanding in times of uncertainty and doubt, and hope in times of trouble. Grant her joy in the birth of her child.

God our Creator, we pray: for mothers who are scared, uncertain, tired, stressed or depressed.

 

 To mothers You have given the great privilege and responsibility of being a child's first teacher and spiritual guide. Grant that all mothers may worthily foster the faith of their children, following the example of Mary, Elizabeth, and other holy women who follow Christ. Help mothers to grow daily in knowledge and understanding of Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and grant them the wisdom to impart this knowledge faithfully to their children, and to all who depend upon them.

God our Creator, we pray: for those who are now responsible for the education of their children; for those whose children have physical, mental or emotional disabilities.

 

 Assist all "spiritual mothers", those who, though they may have no children of their own, nevertheless selflessly care for the children of others -- of every age and state in life. Grant that they may know the joy of fulfilling this motherly calling of women, whether in teaching, nursing, religious life, or in other work which recognizes and fosters the true dignity of every human being created in Your image and likeness.

God our Creator, we pray: for those who care for the children of others; and for those whose desire to be a mother has not been fulfilled.

 

 We beseech You to send Your Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to all mothers who sorrow for children that have died, are ill or estranged from their families, or who are in trouble or danger of any kind. Help grieving mothers to rely on Your tender mercy and fatherly love for all your children.

God our Creator, we pray: for those who have children they do not want; for those who have trouble feeding their children due to poverty; for those who have lost a child; for those whose children have left home.

 

 We ask your blessing on all those to whom You have entrusted motherhood. May Your Holy Spirit constantly inspire and strengthen them. May they ever follow the example of Mary, mother of Our Lord, and imitate her fidelity, her humility, and her self-giving love. May all mothers receive Your Grace abundantly in this earthly life, and may they look forward to eternal joy in Your presence in the life to come.

God our Creator, we pray: Bless all mothers, that their love may be deep and tender, and that they may lead their children to know and do what is good, living not for themselves alone, but for God and for others.

 

 We ask this through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end.
AMEN.

 

Join us at the Anglican Catholic Church for Mass / Holy Communion this Sunday at 11am at St Hilda's. Bring mum with you, or bring her memory and celebrate mothers day with us.

as strangers and pilgrims

The Epistle. 1 St. Peter 2. 11.
DEARLY beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the King.

 

I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims †

 

What does this phrase mean? Strangers and pilgrims? It refers to those who do not truly belong to the place the are in, but are only passing through, on a journey to another place, possibly alienated from their true home. E.g., Mediaeval pilgrims, exiles, homeless travellers. And that is us, according to St Peter.

 

Because this world is not our home, it does not belong to us and we do not belong to it. Which is why the Apostle connects our abstaining from carnal desires to our status as pilgrims. We have no right to be overly attached to the possessions or pleasures limited to this life, and no right at all to sinful ones. They are not our destiny, they are distractions from or stumbling blocks to reaching  our destination. This is why they are said to war against the soul.

 

But there is more to it than that. Our position as pilgrims and strangers reminds us that we do have another home, that we are on a journey, and that we are travelling towards that home.

 

Our home is with God, in eternal happiness and complete fulfilment. We belong to Him. No matter our circumstances here and now, we have a place where we do belong, a family, an identity. We are not nobodies, we are not adrift.

 

Our present circumstances are not the be all and end all, they are merely part of the journey, and the journey is finite. This finitude is both reason for sombre reflection and great rejoicing.

 

The rejoicing is justified because of where the journey ends. It is often said that it is the journey that matters, not the destination, but the Scripture disagrees. The journey matters precisely because of the destination and how it leads us there, and the journey is endurable only because it does.

 

Do or rest your hopes and dreams on what is fleeting. Do not grasp tightly on to the temporary. Instead, see yourself as a pilgrim. And like the pilgrims of old, you will find that even before the sacred destination, there are many holy and beautiful places to pause at along the way. †

Once off - Change of venue

Change of venue:
Usually the Mass for the last Sunday of each month is held in Taree.
This week Taree is cancelled.
The Mass for Sunday 26th April will be at 11am in Maitland.

A Litany Of Remembrance - ANZAC Day 2015

A Litany of Remembrance

God the Father,
have mercy on us.
God the Son,
have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy on us.

We remember all Australians and New Zealeanders who served
in the army, navy and air force during the first World War.
Make us good stewards of the freedom they won.
God of peace,  hear our prayer.

We remember those of other nations who fought beside them,
and those who fought against them for their own countries.
Bring us all to the day when nation no longer makes war against nation.
God of peace, hear our prayer.

We remember the physically wounded and the shell-shocked.
Bring healing and peace for body, mind and spirit
to all who are scarred or disabled by war.
God of peace,  hear our prayer.

We remember the nurses, ambulance officers,
orderlies and doctors who eased pain and saved lives.
Renew among us the vocation to heal the victims of violence.
God of peace,  hear our prayer.

We remember the prisoners of war
and those who sheltered and sustained them.
Bless the work of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in war zones today.
God of peace,  hear our prayer.

We remember the mothers, wives, sisters, children and sweethearts
who prayed and grieved for the missing and the lost.
Comfort all who mourn.
God of peace,  hear our prayer.

We remember the homes, livelihoods and communities
destroyed by bombs and gunfire.
Have mercy on all who still live in the shadow of war.
God of peace,  hear our prayer.

We remember the conscientious objectors and anti-war campaigners,
reviled or imprisoned for their principles.
Give respect and a hearing for those who ask difficult questions.
 God of peace, hear our prayer.

We remember the chaplains who showed the love of Christ
when danger and death were all around.
Give us faith strong enough to share with the fearful and the dying.
God of peace,  hear our prayer.

We remember those interned and vilified here
for their birth or ancestry in countries with whom Australia was at war.
Save us from valuing national identity more highly than shared humanity.
God of peace,  hear our prayer.

We remember the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander volunteers
who fought for a nation that did not recognise them as citizens.
Lead us towards true reconciliation with Australia’s First Peoples.
God of peace,  hear our prayer.

We remember the friendships formed in the turmoil of war
and the loyalty and love that comforted the injured and the dying.
Give us grace to be such friends to one another in times of crisis.
God of peace,  hear our prayer.

We remember the peacemakers who prayed and worked
to end the violence and destruction of the First World War.
Raise up peacemakers in all the war zones of the world today.
God of peace,  hear our prayer.

We remember the good neighbours, supporters and advocates
for returned service men and women, war widows and fatherless children.
Make us generous in providing for all the survivors of war.
 God of peace, hear our prayer.

We remember those who died in battle or from their wounds,
and those who took their own lives in agony or despair.
Bring them, in Christ, to resurrection life.
God of peace,  hear our prayer.

We remember those whose names are recorded,
who went from this community to serve or to die in World War One.
As you were with them in all that they suffered,
bring them, with all the redeemed, to eternal life in Christ.
God of peace,  hear our prayer.

O God, as we remember the terrible cost of this and every war, renew in us the longing for peace and the will to work for it in the strength of Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

1st Photo used: Australian artillerymen dragging guns into position after the landing at Gallipoli, Turkey on 25 April 1915. Public domain photo by CEW Bean.
2nd Photo used: Members of 13th Battalion, AIF, occupying Quinn's Post on the heights above Anzac Cove. Public domain photo by CEW Bean.

Natural Disaster For Locals

Monday night and Tuesday saw our town and many others in this area hit by ferocious storm. These photos are showing Maitland NSW, only a short walk from our chapel. The last few days has seen loss of life and property within our community.

"And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!" Matthew 8:26-27 (KJV)

Jesus brought calm amongst the storm when the disciples where fearful, so we pray:
Jesus, bring calm to those suffering from flooding, power shortages, business and transport problems as a direct effect of the weather. Turn around this terrible situation for good.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 (KJV)

Many people’s lives have been shattered by the current flooding. Jesus offers to relieve our burden, so we pray:
Jesus, we turn to you in faith for comfort and guidance. We pray that people take this opportunity to reach out in the right way to those affected by the flooding. We pray for strength and perseverance for families affected and those helping them like neighbours, medical staff, volunteers and rescue services.  Give them hope in this time of uncertainty.

We especially pray for those who have lost their lives.
Rest eternal grant unto them O Lord, and let your light perpetual shine upon them.
We also pray for their family and friends.
Lord, comfort the family and friends of those who have lost their lives. Guide them through these dark days, bring your light into their lives so that they may sense your presence and goodness, even in their time of mourning.

Lord Jesus Christ, son of the living God, have mercy on our small community.

Photos from Our Easter Sunday Service 2015

Father Matthew and Edward preparing the sacrament during Easter Sunday Mass 2015.

The Lord is risen indeed.

Our little chapel had a good turn-out for Easter. Thank you to all who attended.

No Easter celebration is complete without Easter Eggs. After the service we handed out some that Father Matthew had blessed.

Lighting the Paschal Candle 2015

Father Matthew Kirby during the lighting of the Paschal Candle on Easter Sunday Morning at St Hilda's Parish of the Anglican Catholic Church in Maitland NSW Australia 2015.

 

"Pasch" comes from the Hebrew word "pesah," meaning deliverance or Passover. This candle represents the risen Christ whose light dispelled the darkness (death), and the splendor and glory of His resurrection. It shows the Greek letters alpha and omega, the beginning and the end  (from the Book of Revelation), together with the five wounds of Jesus: the three nails that pierced his hands and feet, the spear thrust into his side, and the thorns that crowned his head. The wounds represented with the "nails" which pierce the actual candle.

Holy Week and Easter Services

St Hilda's Anglican Catholic Church Maitland NSW

Holy Week and Easter Services: 

Maundy Thursday, 
7pm Mass, including Footwashing, Stripping of the Altars, and Vigil till miidnight. 

Good Friday, 
10am Liturgy of the Presanctified, with Veneration of the Cross, 
then Stations of the Cross at Noon. 

Easter Day, 
11 am Mass, with Blessing and Lighting of the Paschal Candle 
and Litany of the Saints.

Join us at the chapel of St Mary's Campus of the All Saints College

in Victoria St Maitland NSW Australia

Our measure of greatness

Sermon Summary for Epiphany II 2015

presented by Fr Matthew Kirby

 

"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate." Romans 12:6-21 (KJV)

"Mind not high things" †

This means do not follow after fame or be ambitious for greatness and great deeds to feed pride.

Next clause refers either to associating with the common folk and poor OR being content with humble tasks. Either way, it is opposed to vainglory: the desire merely to impress people, often based on empty achievements, often aimed at those with status.

Does this mean we are not to aim for greatness at all.

Is the ancient virtue of magnanimity closed to Christians?

No.

 

Previous verses in today's Epistle demand fervency, hard work, and the full use of the spiritual gifts God has given us. In other places St Paul commends those who aspire to be bishops "This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work." (1 Timothy 3:1) and tells Christians to earnestly desire the greater gifts "But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way." (1 Corinthians 12:31), but to excel most of all in love. And Jesus taught that much is expected of those given much in the Parable of the Talents (Link to: Matthew 25), and that we are not to hide our light under a bushel "Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:15-16).
 

So, we are called to greatness.

We are to aim to be great in love and good works. And we should even aim to be all we can be in using our gifts: to be the best pastor, prophet, server, musician, artist, administrator, or whatever, that we can be. So, when we are told not to mind high things, it cannot mean "be content with mediocrity". No, it means that we are to be the best we can be, achieve as much as we can with what God has given us, but we are:
 

1) Not to have an unrealistic, dishonest perception of what we are and can do.
 

2) Not to have as our primary goal the pleasing of man, the praise of an audience.
 

3) Not to value the appearance over the substance, the response to the work done more than the successful doing of the work.

Let us aim for greatness in goodness and in the quality of our service, our ministry, whether the job be big or small, glorious or unknown; and care less about the look of it to others. †

        

not conformed but transformed - by faith

Sermon Summary for Epiphany 1 - 2015 presented by Fr Matthew Kirby

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (Romans 12:1-5)

"be not conformed to this world" †

 

World = the systems and culture of man, insofar as they are founded and formed in disobedience to God. Not everything in culture or institutions is included in this, it is not referring to that which is morally neutral or virtuous for E.g., styles of cooking (if they do not directly cause gluttony) or clothing (if they do not encourage impurity) these may usually be conformed to, and laws forbidding murder must be.

 

But we must not follow the pack when it comes to customs and practices that are sinful. It is primarily the responsibility of the individual adult Christian to identify and avoid immoral actions even if they are common and to self-censor when it comes to reading, listening and watching, according to their (divinely assisted) conscience. (No Index of Prohibited Books for Anglican, or even for Roman Catholic now!) But sometimes the Scripture or the Church will explicitly forbid certain culturally accepted practices. E.g., abortion in our society, polygamy in some others.

 

"but be transformed by the renewing of your mind"

 

As I have said before, we do this primarily by reading and meditating on Scripture (or other edifying literature) and by prayer, but also by the practice of obedience. So there is both the negative (avoiding worldiness) and the positive (fostering godliness). Both are necessary. The positive attempted with the negative allows too much muddying of the mental waters. The negative without the positive makes for ineffectual, miserable Christians who only know "don'ts". Also, the ability of our conscience to filter out the bad is enhanced by the positive.

 

"according to the measure of faith"

 

If we want to not only transform ourselves but build up others, we must use our gifts of the Spirit to minister in the Church. But we do this to the extent we trust in the Giver of the gift and the gift itself that he gives. To play our part in the Church, to activate our gift, requires faith. It requires the confidence or courage to act, trusting that God will then act through us and around us, and asking for that very thing.  †

Invitation to Ash Wednesday Service

 

Ash Wednesday Service

St Hilda's Anglican Catholic Parish

Wednesday 18th February 2015, at noon.

Venue - St Marys School Chapel in 

Victoria St Maitland NSW

All Welcome.

Dealing with a miracle of God

Christmas II Sermon Summary 2015 presented by Fr Matthew Kirby

 

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. (Luke 2:7-20)

"the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God" †

 

They returned. Went back to their lives, their work, their shepherding. Did not become apostles, rabbis or prophets.

 

But they were not shy about telling others of the wonderful things they had experienced of God, as we are told in today's Gospel. And they carried the joy of those wonders (angelic visitation followed by the sight of the new born Christ-child) with them in grateful memory, back into their normality.

 

They did not abandon their flocks or try to hang around the Holy Family, clinging to the experience, trying to prolong it or repeat it.

 

Nor did they forget it or dismiss it. Luke knew and wrote of what happened to them and what they afterwards did, and he did so decades later. He may well have heard it from them or those to whom they spoke. The joy remained, the impact was permanent.

 

There is a lesson for us here. Even Christians who experience amazing things in God, spend most of their lives experiencing normality, not miracles. We are not meant to try to prolong artificially those times of the extraordinary in our spiritual walk. Nor are we to seek repetition, or a perpetual series of new excitements. This would be ungrateful and immature.

 

Instead, we must use our memory of the high points to inspire us to praise in the present and joyful witness to God's goodness. That is how we can make the wonderful times food for the journey and perpetual in benefit. God normally works normally. But he also performs signs and specially touches our lives at times. Never forget these, and use them to strengthen yourself in the midst of the hard slog, whether they be your own experiences, or those testified to you by others.

Finally, let others know what God has done for you. †

Be My Valentine...

Saints are recognised as having fulfilled the highest aspirations of religious teaching, surrendering to God's love so generously that the Church recognises them as heroes and heroines worthy to be held up for our inspiration.  They are role models of holiness to be imitated, strengthening and encouraging the believer within us, during the times of weakness in our spiritual journey. They remind us of the level of dedication and success achievable through the mercy and grace of God.

 

If we are to use Saints as role models to imitate then it is necessary  to look at why a particular person became recognised by the Church.

So, what is Valentines Day other than chocolate, roses and a romantic suggestion? 

What does that have to do with my relationship with God?

 

The feast of St. Valentine (of February 14) dates back to 496 when Pope Gelasius 1 included Valentine among all those "... whose names are justly reverenced among men, but whose acts are known only to God." So we are a bit lacking in the factual recordings of this particular Saint. However a lot of the early Saints do have legends that develop.

 

There are many legends behind Saint Valentine. Story has it that while under house arrest, because he defied the order of the emperor Claudius and secretly married couples so that the husbands wouldn't have to go to war. Soldiers were sparse at this time so this was a big inconvenience to the emperor. To remind Soldiers and persecuted Christians of their vows and God’s love, Saint Valentine is said to have given them hearts cut from parchment. Saint Valentine (who was a former Bishop) was challenged during a discussion about faith by Judge Asterius while under arrest. The judge insisted that Valentine prove his faith and the validity of Christ by restoring the eye sight of the Judges adopted blind daughter. If successful Asterius would do anything Valentine asked. Valentine laid his hands on her eyes and the child's vision was restored. Immediately humbled, the judge asked Valentine what he should do. Valentine replied that all of the idols around the judge's house should be broken, the judge should fast for three days, and then undergo baptism. The judge obeyed and as a result, freed all the Christian inmates under his authority. The judge, his family and his forty-four member household (family members and servants) were baptized. Valentine was later arrested again and had to face the emperor Claudius. Valentine tried to convert Claudius to Christianity, but Claudius refused and condemned him to death, commanding that Valentine either renounce his faith or he would be beaten with clubs, and beheaded. Valentine refused and Claudius' command was executed February 14, 269. Legend has it that on the day of his execution he left the girl a note that was signed “Your Valentine" as a farewell.
 

It is interesting that the celebration of Saint Valentine did not have any romantic connotations until 1381 when Chaucer wrote:
For this was on seynt Volantynys day
Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.
Translated: 
For this was on St. Valentine's Day,
when every bird cometh there to choose his mate.
 

The verse Roses are red is traceable as far back as 1590:
She bath'd with roses red, and violets blew,
And all the sweetest flowers, that in the forrest grew.
 

And this version dates 1784:
The rose is red, the violet's blue,
The honey's sweet, and so are you.
Thou art my love and I am thine;
I drew thee to my Valentine:
The lot was cast and then I drew,
And Fortune said it shou'd be you.

So this Valentines Day when you are feeling all romantic and loving, step back from the commercial card rack and give a thought to the purpose of recognising Saints. Valentines Day wasn't invented to romance the opposite sex. Its purpose was to honour a Saint and to learn by his example. In the legends that developed about Saint Valentine he wasn't trying to win the heart of a young maiden, but rather he puts his dedication to his faith and love of God, followed by his love for and serving of others, above everything including his own safety.

O'Saint Valentine,

 the lover of Christ and of the church,

we ask for your intercession

so that we may learn to love God above all things,

and to selfishly love one another.

O'Glorious Saint Valentine pray for us,

that we too may have the steadfast faith of the martyrs.

Almighty God, strengthen my faith.
Give me the courage to always place you first.
Fill my soul with the love of God
so that it may shine forth into the world.
Fill my heart with your love for man
so that I may serve them well according to your will.
Amen

Lord Jesus Christ... be my Valentine.

To Judge, Or Not To Judge

Sermon Summary for Advent III 2014 presented by Fr Matthew Kirby

"judge nothing before the time"  † (1 Corinthians 4:5) But compare this with "For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed ... do not ye judge them that are within?" "Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?" [1 Corinthians 5:3,12b and 6:3]. From the same letter! And, of course, (Matthew 7:1), "Judge not, that ye be not judged."

Can't God make up his mind? Or St Paul?
The very fact these apparently contradictory verses are so close to each other warns us to pay careful attention. St Paul knows exactly what he is saying, and is doing this deliberately.

Where we are told by the Apostle to "judge nothing", the context is presuming to Judge as God does, knowing the very heart, knowing everything, and thus being able to condemn or justify the person themselves definitively: "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God." Jesus actually warns us not to judge others with a different standard to ourselves: "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." [Matthew 7:2-5]. This is so easy for us to do thoughtlessly.

Where we are told we should judge, we must begin with ourselves, as our Lord just reminded us about the plank. St Paul says, in reference to preparing for Communion, "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body." [1 Corinthians 11:28-29].
Then we must approach the situations of others with honesty and courage. We cannot judge as God does, but we can judge to be truly sinful the manifest, outward sins of others. And, if we have the authority, we may even have to pronounce sentence, for example, excluding the obstinate sinner from the Church. St Paul harshly criticises the Corinthians for failing in these duties. Why? Because if we do not honestly pronounce as evil what certainly is so, we actually harm the sinner by suppressing the truth. They are unlikely to repent if unchallenged, if their wickedness is ignored. He tells the Corinthians to "To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." [1 Corinthians 5:5.]

However, whenever we merely correct others for what we have discerned as sins, we must do so gently and humbly, remembering our own weakness and acting for the good of their soul. "And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." [Jude 22, 23]

So, what is the overall balance?
* We are to judge ourselves first, other second, with consistency.
* We are permitted to judge mentally, and to speak forth that judgement when and how it can be done charitably.
* We are generally to judge sins, not to condemn sinners.
* If in the appropriate position of authority (whether in the family, church or world), we are to judge honestly and apply consequences fairly.
* And we are always to remember the limited and fallible nature of our judgements in everything we do and say.  †